Meizu MX4 open-source smartphone running Ubuntu Touch reaches Europe: Available to buy via invites

Chinese smartphone brand Meizu has launched its MX4 Ubuntu-powered smartphone in the European Union, pricing it at €299 ($335, £213).

According to a report in Verge, prospective customers can buy the phone via an invitation. To get an invite, potential customers can navigate to Meizu's English web-portal and click on an alternative origami wall, that reveals the available number of invites.

The origami wall was reportedly made live on 25 June. The Verge report quotes Cristian Parrino, vice-president of Canonical Mobile, as saying that hose who were not able to procure an invite on the opening day, will be able to secure one on 26 June.

Meizu MX4 Ubuntu-edition key tech specs:

5.36in display, with 1920x1152 resolution, enclosed in Gorilla Glass 3
Ubuntu Touch OS
Octa-core MediaTek 6595 chipset
20.7MP rear camera, and a 2MP front camera
2GB RAM
Fixed 16GB internal storage
LTE, HSPA Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi and microUSB connectivity

Parrino further claimed that all prospective buyers visiting Meizu's MX4 web-portal will be able to get an invite to purchase the device.

But neither Canonical, the UK firm behind Ubuntu, nor Meizu has revealed the exact number of available invitations.

Meizu's is trying something similar to what OnePlus did earlier. Initially OnePlus sold its flagship One phones via invitation, but later did away with the process.

Meizu's MX4 Ubuntu-edition, adds a touch of open-source to the company's already existing MX4 smartphone. Its USP is Ubuntu Touch, which brings cross-platform support and a uniform user experience on both large-screen desktop devices as well as smaller-screen mobile devices.

So, in theory, Ubuntu Touch should allow apps to run on larger screens, after being launched from the smartphone. This feature, if officially confirmed, will add greater functionality to Meizu's MX4, in comparison to conventional Android and iOS devices.

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